A water sewage treatment operative is responsible for ensuring that the system that supplies fresh water and treats sewage works properly.

According to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, there are around 9,000 sewage treatment plants in the UK, with 2,000 of these generating 'sufficient organic load' to result in needing secondary treatment. Waste water produced by residential, commercial or industrial activities may need to be treated.

Over 95% of the population has a connection to waste water treatment works, which are serviced by 300,000 miles of sewers. Water sewage treatment operatives may work for a large company such as Thames Water, which treats 2,800 million litres of sewage on a daily basis.

The average salary varies according to the size of the company, its location - pay rates are usually higher in London and the South East - and the work involved, but is usually in the range of £15-25,000 a year. Formal qualifications are not always required, but some employees will come to the job through an apprenticeship or by gaining a NVQ/SVQ in Water Industry Operations. Recruitment agencies are a valuable resource to connect interested job seekers and companies looking for staff in this sector.